American Legion League
Published 12:00 am Friday, May 29, 2009
By Brad Greer
Chance Whitten scored from third base on a two-out wild pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Red Sox a 3-2 win over the Yankees Monday night in 13-15 year-old American Legion baseball play.
With the score tied at two, Whitten was hit by a pitch that started the rally. Whitten then stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. After Austin Smith drew a walk to put runners on the corners, Whitten raced home two pitches later as the ball got past the Yankee catcher for the winning run.
Trailing 2-1 in the top of the sixth, the Yankees were down to their last out when Luke Latham ripped a two-out double to left then scored on a wild pitch and a throwing error by the catcher. The Red Sox then loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the sixth but came away empty handed as Latham, who pitched three innings in relief of starting pitcher Erik Weaver, responded with nine straight strikes to retire the side and send the game into extra innings.
The Red Sox took advantage of four walks and two errors to take a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third. Erick Booker led off the inning by reaching on a error then scored on another error two batters later. James Wilder’s RBI single plated Whitten to account for the second run.
The Yankees got on the board in the top of the fifth as Cameron Brown drew a leadoff walk and scored on Troy Scallons RBI single. Renic Greenlee picked up the win in relief of Blake Snyder by tossing three innings, striking out seven on two hits while allowing one walk. Snyder fanned five while not allowing a run or hit over four innings of work.
Latham meanwhile took the loss for the Yankees despite striking out six and not allowing a hit. Latham also hit three batters and walked two. Erik Weaver started on the hill for the Yankees and gave up two runs on four hits while fanning four and walking six.
Bryan Byford and Smith both singled to record the Red Sox only other hits.
In the nightcap, the A’s nipped the Royals 3-2 as Jesse Pearson picked up the pitching win in relief of Deon Mix.